Container sleeve apparatus and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A container sleeve apparatus includes an arcuate or cylindrical body that can be positioned on a cylindrical or conical container, such as a tumbler, cup, can or bottle. A transparent or translucent insert section that can be releasably attached to the sleeve body. The sleeve body can be made of a non-slip, elastic material, such as neoprene rubber. The insert section can be made of plastic, and can include a logo printed or engraved thereon. The apparatus can include a light emitting device that illuminates the transparent/translucent insert section.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/790,493, filed Oct. 23, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,827,863, which isa continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/201,406,filed Jul. 2, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,795,233, which claims priorityto U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/188,558, filed Jul. 3,2015. All of said applications are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a sleeve for use on a container, suchas a beverage can, tumbler, canister, or bottle. One embodiment of theinvention comprises a cylindrical sleeve having a light assembly, and atransparent or translucent section that can be illuminated by the lightassembly. A logo, name or other indicia can be positioned on thetransparent/translucent section.

BACKGROUND

Insulating beverage sleeves, known as “coozies”, “koozies” and/or “canhuggies” are often used to hold beverage containers, such as beveragecans and bottles. The sleeves help to maintain the beverage at thedesired temperature for a longer period of time, while also providing acomfortable means for the user to hold the beverage. The sleeve enablesthe user to hold the beverage without having to directly touch thebeverage container itself, which may be very cold or hot. Also, thereare beverage sleeves typically made of textured paper board that areadapted to fit around coffee cups (known as “coffee coozies”). Thesesleeves provide a comfortable means for the user to hold a hot cup ofcoffee, providing a barrier between the user and the hot coffee cup.

SUMMARY

One object of the present invention is to provide a sleeve for use on acontainer, such as a beverage can, cup or tumbler. Another object of theinvention is to provide a beverage sleeve for holding a beveragecontainer, in which a portion of the sleeve is transparent ortranslucent. Another object of the invention is to provide a beveragesleeve, in which a portion of the sleeve can be selectively illuminated.These and other objects of the invention can be achieved in variousembodiments of the invention described herein.

One embodiment of the invention comprises an apparatus for positioningon a beverage container comprising an arcuate body adapted to receiveand frictionally engage a beverage container, and a light assemblyattached to the arcuate body. The light assembly comprises a lightemitting device, a power source operatively connected to the lightemitting device to supply power to the light emitting device, and anon/off mechanism operatively connected to the light emitting device suchthat engaging the on/off mechanism causes the light emitting device toemit light.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the arcuate body can bepositioned on a conical cup, such as a disposable plastic or paper cup.The bottom of the cup can be positioned through arcuate body, and thearcuate body can be slid up the conical cup until reaching acircumference of the cup sufficient for the arcuate body to frictionallyengage the cup.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the arcuate body canbe made of plastic.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the light emittingdevice comprises a flexible printed circuit board, a light emittingdiode, and/or an illuminated fiber optic cable.

According to another embodiment of the invention, wireless technology,such as the wireless communication technology sold under the mark“BLUETOOTH”, can be operatively connected to the light assembly and aremote control, such that the remote control can turn the light emittingdevice on and off. The remote control can be a computing devicecomprising a computer processor, such as a computer or mobilesmartphone.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the power source iscomprised of a battery and/or solar cell.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the on/off mechanismcomprises a button and/or switch.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the arcuate body has aconcave inner surface and a convex outer surface.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the light emittingdevice comprises a flexible printed circuit board attached to the outersurface of the arcuate body.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the arcuate bodyincludes an opening formed in a central region of the arcuate body, andthe light emitting device comprises a flexible printed circuit boardpositioned within the opening.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a logo can be printedon the flexible printed circuit board.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the power sourcecomprises at least one battery attached to the outer surface of thearcuate body, and the on/off mechanism comprises a button attached tothe outer surface of the arcuate body.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the arcuate body isattached to a resilient cylindrical outer cover member having an innersurface and an outer surface and an opening formed therein. The outercover member has a transparent or translucent insert section positionedover the opening. The outer surface of the arcuate body is attached tothe inner surface of the outer cover member, and the flexible printedcircuit board is aligned with the opening formed in the outer covermember, such that light emitted from the flexible printed circuit boardcan pass through the transparent or translucent insert section.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a logo can be printedor engraved on the insert section. The logo can comprise anyalphanumeric characters and/or graphics, such as a company name,trademark, sports team and/or school name or insignia.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a beverage containerhaving a base and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base, and alight assembly positioned on the container. The light assembly comprisesa light emitting device attached to an outer surface of the sidewall ofthe container, a power source operatively connected to the lightemitting device to supply power to the light emitting device, and anon/off mechanism operatively connected to the light emitting device,wherein engaging the on/off mechanism causes the light emitting deviceto emit light. An elastic sleeve is positioned on the outer surface ofthe sidewall of the container having a central opening formed therein,and an insert section is releasably attached to the elastic sleeve andcovers the central opening of the elastic sleeve. The insert section iscomprised of a transparent or translucent material and is aligned withthe light emitting device such that the light emitting device emitslight through the insert section.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the container can be acylindrical or conical tumbler, the elastic sleeve is cylindrical, andthe insert section is arcuate.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an indented section isformed on the outer surface of the sidewall of the container, and theelastic sleeve is positioned within the indented section whereby theelastic sleeve sits flush with the outer surface of the sidewall.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the light emittingdevice comprises a flexible printed circuit board attached to the outersurface of the sidewall of the container. The power source comprises atleast one battery mounted on the outer surface of the sidewall, and theon/off mechanism comprises a button mounted on the outer surface of thesidewall.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the insert sectioncomprises a center section and first and second opposed flangesextending outwardly from the center section. First and second recessedsections are formed in the inner surface of the elastic sleeve proximatethe central opening of the elastic sleeve and adapted to receive thefirst and second flanges of the insert section whereby the insertsection is maintained within the sleeve.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a logo is printed orengraved on the insert section, and the light emitting deviceilluminates the logo.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the insert sectioncomprises a photo luminescent material.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the elastic sleeve hasfirst and second ends, and at least one knob extending upwardly form theouter surface of the sleeve proximate the first end, and at least oneopening formed proximate the second end sized and shaped to receivingthe knob so that the first and second ends can be releasably attached toeach other.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a beverage containercomprising a base and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base,wherein the sidewall has an arcuate section and a flat face section. Alight emitting device such as a flexible printed circuit board can beattached to the flat face section of the sidewall. An elastic sleeve canbe positioned on the outer surface of the sidewall, and the elasticsleeve can include a flat transparent/translucent insert section that ispositioned over the flexible printed circuit board. A logo can beprinted or engraved on the insert section.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a beverage containercomprising a base, a transparent or translucent outer sidewall extendingupwardly from the base, and an inner sidewall positioned interiorly tothe outer sidewall. A light assembly comprising a plurality of lightemitting devices, such as light emitting diodes, are positioned withinthe space between the inner and outer sidewalls. The light assemblyincludes a power source and an on/off mechanism operatively connected tothe plurality of light emitting devices. The beverage container caninclude a handle, and the power source and on/off mechanism can beattached on the handle.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises an insulating sleeve forholding a beverage container, such as a can, cup, tumbler, canister, orbottle. The sleeve includes a transparent or translucent section formedtherein, which allows for a portion of the exterior of the beveragecontainer, such as the container logo, to be visible through thetransparent/translucent section of the sleeve.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a logo can be printedor engraved on the top surface of the transparent/translucent section ofthe sleeve.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the sleeve includes alight assembly that is adapted to illuminate the transparent/translucentsection. The transparent/translucent section can be positioned so as toallow a logo or other indicia on the beverage container to be visiblethrough the transparent/translucent section of the sleeve, and the lightassembly illuminates beverage container logo.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the sleeve is made ofa non-slip, elastic, insulating material, such as neoprene or foamrubber.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a cup and a sleeve adaptedfor use on the cup. The cup has an indented section, and the insulatingsleeve is sized and shaped for positioning within the indented section,thereby providing a flush outer surface of the cup.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises an apparatus forpositioning on a beverage container comprising an arcuate body adaptedto receive and frictionally engage a beverage container, and an arcuatedisplay screen adapted to display video content attached to the arcuatebody. A power source, such as a battery or solar cell, can be positionedon the arcuate body and operatively connected to the display screen tosupply power to the display screen. An on/off mechanism can beoperatively connected to the display device, such that engaging theon/off mechanism causes the power source to supply power to displayscreen.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the visual contentcomprises video and/or images.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the arcuate displayscreen is a flexible organic light emitting diode display screen.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the arcuate bodyincludes a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the arcuate displayscreen is attached to the outer surface of the arcuate body.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the arcuate bodyincludes an opening formed in a central region of the arcuate body, andthe arcuate display screen is positioned within the opening.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the power source is abattery or solar cell, and the on/off mechanism is a button or switch.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a system for use with abeverage container comprising a container sleeve comprising an arcuatebody adapted to receive and frictionally engage a beverage container,and a display device adapted to display visual content attached to thearcuate body. A computing device, such as a mobile smartphone, isoperatively connected to the display device and adapted for wirelesscommunication with the display device. The computing device comprises acomputer processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage mediumcomprising programming instructions that, when executed, cause thecomputer processor to transmit video content to the display device andcause the display device to display the video content.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the display devicecomprises an organic light emitting diode display screen having anarcuate shape conforming to the arcuate body of the container sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container sleeve according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective environmental view of the sleeve of FIG. 1 witha beverage can;

FIG. 3 is another perspective environmental view of the sleeve of FIG. 1with a beverage can;

FIG. 4 is front elevation of a container apparatus according to anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the container apparatus ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is another front elevation of the container apparatus of FIG. 4,showing the sleeve separate from the tumbler;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sleeve of the container apparatus ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the sleeve of the containerapparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is an environmental perspective view of a container sleeveaccording to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is another environmental perspective view of the containersleeve of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a partial top plan view of the container sleeve of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a container apparatus according toanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the container apparatus of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a container sleeve according to another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 15 is a container apparatus according to another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 16 is a container apparatus according to another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the container apparatus of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a container apparatus according toanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 is another perspective view of the container apparatus of FIG.18; and

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of a portion of the container apparatus ofFIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A container sleeve according to a preferred embodiment of the inventionis illustrated in FIG. 1 and shown generally at reference numeral 10.The container sleeve 10 comprises a substantially cylindrical body 12.The body 12 is comprised of a thermal insulating material, such asneoprene, foam rubber, plastic, or other suitable material. The body 12has a circular opening 14 at the top, which is sized to receive aconventional beverage can or bottle therethrough. A portion of theinsulating material is cut out and replaced with an insert section 16made of a transparent or translucent material, such as polycarbonateplastic. The insert section 16 can also comprise a photoluminescentmaterial so that the insert section 16 glows in the dark.

The sleeve 10 includes a light assembly 20 housed in the body 12. Thelight assembly 20 is comprised of a plurality of light emitting devices22, a power source 24 operatively connected to supply power to the lightemitting devices 22, and an on/off button 26 operatively connected tothe light emitting devices 22 for selectively turning the light emittingdevices on and off. Preferably, each light emitting device 22 comprisesa light emitting diode (LED). Alternatively, each light emitting device22 can comprise an illuminated fiber optic cable, or other suitablelight emitting device. The light emitting diodes 22 are positioned at anangle, such that they emit light toward the insert section 14 andilluminate the insert section 16. The sleeve 10 can include a secondlight assembly and second insert section on the opposite side of thesleeve not shown in the drawings.

Preferably, the power source 24 comprises a battery. Alternatively, thepower source 24 can be a solar cell that powers the light emittingdiodes 22. In another alternative embodiment, the power source 24 can bea solar cell that recharges a battery that powers the light emittingdiodes.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the light assembly 20 includes athermal sensor operatively connected to the power source 24 so that thelight emitting diodes 22 are activated when the sensor detects apredetermined high or low temperature in the beverage container. In yetanother alternative embodiment, the power source 24 can be rechargedfrom temperature variations of the beverage container 50, utilizing astirling engine.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a method of using the sleeve 10 according to apreferred embodiment of the invention. A container, such as a beveragecan 50 is received through the top opening 14 of the body 12 of thesleeve 10, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The can 50 can be positionedwithin the sleeve so that the insert section 16 is aligned with a logo58 on the exterior of the can 50. As such, the can logo 58 can be seenthrough the sleeve 10.

Alternatively, a logo can be engraved or printed on the top surface ofthe insert section 16. The logo can comprise any alphanumeric charactersand/or graphics, such as a company name, trademark, sports team and/orschool name or insignia. The insert section 16 can be removed from thesleeve 10 and replaced with another insert section having a differentlogo. The light assembly 20 can be turned on by pressing the on/offbutton 26, and the light emitting diodes 22 illuminate the can logo 56by emitting light through the insert section 16.

FIGS. 4-8 illustrate another preferred embodiment of the inventioncomprising a container apparatus 101 comprised of a container sleeve 100and a tumbler cup 150. The container sleeve 100 is adapted for use withthe tumbler cup 150. The sleeve 100 comprises a substantiallycylindrical body 112 having an opening 114 that is sized to receive atypical tumbler cup, such as a 20 oz. tumbler. The sleeve body 112 canbe made of a comfortable non-slip, resilient, elastic material, such asneoprene or foam rubber.

The sleeve 100 includes an arcuate insert section 116 made of atransparent or translucent material, such as polycarbonate plastic. Theinsert section 116 can also comprise a photoluminescent material so thatthe insert section 116 glows in the dark.

The insert section 116 comprises an arcuate shaped piece having arectangular portion 116 a and a pair of flanges 116 b, 116 c on oppositesides of the rectangular portion 116 a, as shown in FIG. 5. The sleeve100 includes a rectangular opening 106 that has an area approximatelyequal to the area of rectangular portion 116 a of the insert section116. A recessed area 111 is formed in the interior surface of the sleeve100 at the edge of rectangular opening 106. The recessed area 111includes a pair of complementary recesses 102, 103 formed in theinterior surface of the sleeve 100 at opposite sides of rectangularopening 106, as shown in FIG. 7. The flanges 116 b, 116 c of the insertsection 116 are received in the sleeve recesses 102, 103, respectively,as shown in FIG. 8. Positioning of the insert section flanges 116 b, 116c in the sleeve recesses 102, 103 helps maintain the insert section 116in place in the sleeve 100. The sleeve 100 can be positioned on thetumbler 150, as shown in FIG. 4.

A logo 118 can be engraved or printed on the top surface of the insertsection 116 of the sleeve 100. The term “logo”, as used throughout thisapplication, refers generally to any distinctive markings, alphanumericcharacters and/or graphics. The logo 118 can be, but is not limited to,a company name, trademark, sports team name and/or school name orinsignia. The insert section 116 can be removed from the sleeve 100 whendesired and replaced with another insert section having a differentlogo. As such, a variety of logos can be used with the sleeve 100. Whendesired, a user can pull the sleeve 100 off of the tumbler 150 andremove the insert section 116 from the sleeve and replace it withanother insert section having a different logo.

The tumbler 150 can include a light assembly 120. The light assembly 120can be comprised of a light emitting device 122, a power sourceoperatively connected to the light emitting device 122 to supply powerto the light emitting device 122, and an on/off mechanism 126operatively connected to the light emitting device 122 for selectivelyturning the light emitting device 122 on and off. Preferably, the lightemitting device 122 is a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).Alternatively, the light emitting device 122 can comprise a lightemitting diode (LED), an illuminated fiber optic cable, or othersuitable light emitting device. The flexible printed circuit board 122is positioned on the outer surface of the tumbler 150.

Preferably, the power source comprises two batteries 124, 125. Each ofthe batteries 124, 125 can be a lithium CR2016 3V battery.Alternatively, the power source can be a solar cell that powers the FPCB122. In another alternative embodiment, the power source can include asolar cell that recharges one or more batteries that power the FPCB 122.In yet another alternative embodiment, the power source can be rechargedfrom temperature variations of the tumbler 150, utilizing a stirlingengine.

Preferably, the on/off mechanism comprises a button 126. Alternatively,the on/off mechanism can be a tilt switch that turns on the FPCB 122 bya mechanism making power contact when the switch is tilted or shaken.The on/off button 126 is operatively connected to the flexible printedcircuit board 122 at an ear portion 122 a of the flexible printedcircuit board 122, as shown in FIG. 5. A negative sharpnel 121 and abattery case/positive sharpnel 123 are positioned on the opposite earportion 122 b of the flexible printed circuit board 122, as shown inFIG. 5. The batteries 124, 125 are positioned in the batterycase/positive shrapnel 123. The batteries 124, 125 are positioned withtheir negative surfaces facing the body of the tumbler 150, and theirpositive surfaces facing away from the tumbler 150. As such, thenegative surface of the inner most battery 124 contacts the negativeshrapnel 121, and the positive surface of the outer most battery 125contacts the tongue 123 a of the battery case/positive shrapnel 123.

The flexible printed circuit board 122, battery case 123 and on/offbutton 126 can be attached to the outer surface of the tumbler 150 by atransparent adhesive film that is positioned over the flexible printedcircuit board 122 and around the battery case 123 and on/off button 126,and adhered to the outer surface of the tumbler 150. Alternatively, theflexible printed circuit board 122 can be directly adhered to thetumbler 150 with an adhesive.

The sleeve 100 is positioned on the outer surface of the tumbler suchthat the insert section 116 is substantially aligned with the flexibleprinted circuit board 122, as shown in FIGS. 4-6. Two recesses can beformed in the interior surface of the sleeve 100 to accommodate theon/off button switch 126 and the battery case 123. The sleeve 100includes a raised circular portion 136 that covers the on/off buttonswitch 126 when the sleeve 100 is positioned on the tumbler 150, asshown in FIG. 4. When so positioned, the user can press on the raisedcircular portion 136 to press the on/off button switch 126 housedtherein, thereby turning the flexible printed circuit board 122 on andoff. Pressing the raised circular portion 136 of the sleeve 100 turnsthe flexible printed circuit board 122 on, causing the flexible printedcircuit board 122 to emit light through the insert section 116 andilluminate the logo 118 of the insert section 116. When the user wishesto change the insert section 116, or if the batteries 124, 125 need tobe changed, the sleeve 100 can be slid off of the tumbler 150 and theinsert section 116 and/or batteries 124, 125 can be easily accessed.

The light assembly 120 can include a thermal sensor operativelyconnected to the batteries 124, 125 so that the flexible printed circuitboard 122 is activated when the sensor detects a predetermined high orlow temperature in the beverage container.

As shown in FIG. 6, a portion of the outer surface of the tumbler 150 isindented to form an indented section 152. The opening 114 of the sleeve100 is sized and shaped such that the top or bottom of the tumbler 150can be positioned therethrough, and the body 112 of the sleeve 100 issized and shaped so that it can be positioned within the indentedsection 152 and sit substantially flush with the remaining non-indentedportion of the tumbler 150, as shown in FIG. 4.

The tumbler 150 can include a plastic screw-on top lid 154. The tumbler150 is preferably made of 18/8 (18% chromium/8% nickel) stainless steel,or other suitable material.

In an alternative embodiment, the light assembly 120 can be attached tothe sleeve 100, instead of the tumbler 150. As such, the sleeve 100 canbe used on any conventional container. The light assembly 120 can beattached to the inner surface of the sleeve 100. The flexible printedcircuit board 122 is positioned directly against the insert section 116,and the on/off button switch 126 and the battery case 123 are receivedin recesses formed in the interior surface of the sleeve 100. Theflexible printed circuit board 122 can be attached to the inner surfaceof the sleeve 100 by an adhesive or other suitable attachment means.

A container sleeve according to an alternative embodiment is illustratedin FIGS. 9-11, and shown generally at reference numeral 200. Thecontainer sleeve 200 is similar in structure to the previously describedcontainer sleeve 100, except that it is not a continuous circular piece,but instead is a substantially flexible, rectangular piece having firstand second ends and attachment means that enable the first and secondends to be releasably attached after being wrapped around the outersurface of a tumbler or other container.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the sleeve 200 includes opposed first andsecond ends 201, 202. A plurality of knobs 211, 212, 213 extend upwardlyfrom the outer surface of the sleeve 200 in a linear alignment proximateone end 201. The knobs can be made of plastic and integrally formed onthe sleeve 200, such as by injection molding. An equal number oflinearly aligned openings 221, 222, 223 are formed in the sleeve 200proximate the opposite end 202. Each of the openings 221, 222, 223 issized and positioned to receive and engage one of the knobs 211, 212,213, respectively, as shown in FIG. 10. When so engaged, the sleeve issecurely maintained on the tumbler. Alternatively, the sleeve 200 caninclude additional pluralities of linearly aligned openings positionedfurther away from the second end 202 of the sleeve 200 to allow for thesleeve to adjust to tumblers/containers of varying circumference.

FIG. 12 illustrates a beverage container and container sleeve accordinganother preferred embodiment of the invention. The container, showngenerally at reference numeral 350, comprises a tumbler cup having thesame structure and features as the previously described tumbler 150,except that the sidewall of the container 350 is comprised of an arcuatesection 355 extending upwardly from the base 352, and a flat front facesection 356, on which the flexible printed circuit board is positioned.The container sleeve 300 includes a flat shaped insert section 316 thatis positioned over flexible printed circuit board on the container 350.The flat face 356 allows for a flat orientation of the flexible printedcircuit board and the insert section 316, which can result in betterillumination of the insert section 316.

A container sleeve according to another preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated in FIG. 14 and shown generally at referencenumeral 400. The container sleeve 400 comprises an arcuate body 412having a substantially rectangular opening formed in the center of thebody 412. The sleeve body 412 has an inner concave surface 414, and anouter convex surface 416, as shown in FIG. 14. The sleeve body 412 ispreferably made of plastic or other suitable material.

An insert section 422 is positioned within the rectangular opening ofthe body 412. The insert section 422 can be a flexible printed circuitboard. In an alternative embodiment, the sleeve body 412 does not have acentral opening, and instead a flexible printed circuit board is adheredto the outer surface 416 of the sleeve body 412.

An on/off button 426 is positioned on the outer surface 416 of the body412 proximate one end of the body 412. A power source is positioned onthe outer surface 416 of the sleeve body 412 and is operativelyconnected to the FPCB 422 to power the FPCB 422. The power source cancomprise one or more batteries positioned within a battery case attachedto the sleeve body 412. Alternatively, the power source can comprise asolar cell that powers the FPCB 422. In another alternative embodiment,the power source can comprise a solar cell that recharges a battery thatpowers the FPCB 422. The flexible printed circuit board 422 is turned onby pressing the on/off button 426. A logo can be printed on the flexibleprinted circuit board 422. Alternatively, the logo can be printed on atransparent or translucent lense that is positioned over the flexibleprinted circuit board 422. The logo can comprise any distinctivemarkings, alphanumeric characters and/or graphics, such as a companyname, trademark, sports team name and/or school name or insignia.

In a method of using the sleeve 400 according to a preferred embodimentof the invention, the sleeve 400 can be positioned on a conical cup,such as a disposable plastic or paper cup. The bottom of the cup can bepositioned through the sleeve 400, and the sleeve 400 can be slid up theconical cup until the sleeve reaches a circumference of the cupsufficient for the sleeve 400 to frictionally engage the cup. Aplurality of the sleeve 400 can be used with a large number ofdisposable cups, such as at sports or entertainment events. A logo of aparticular sports team participating at a particular sporting event canbe printed on the FPCB 422 of the plurality of sleeves 400. The sleeves400 can be distributed to fans at the sporting event, and the fans canposition the sleeves 400 on the disposable cups distributed at thesporting event. Fans can hold up their cups and activate the sleeves 400by pressing the on/off button 426 to illuminate the logo during the gameas a gesture of support for the sports team. Likewise, a logo of aparticular performer, such as a musical group, can be printed on theFPCB 322 of the plurality of sleeves 400, and the sleeves distributed toattendees of the performer's performance. The attendees can position thesleeves 400 on beverage cups provided at the performance and canactivate the sleeves 400 to illuminate the logo during the performance.

In an alternative embodiment, the sleeve 400 can include wirelesscommunication technology, such as the wireless communication technologysold under the mark “BLUETOOTH”, which is operatively connected to theflexible printed circuit board 422 and a remote control, such that theremote control can turn the flexible printed circuit board 422 on andoff. The remote control can be a computing device comprising a computerprocessor, such as a computer or mobile smartphone. A plurality of thesleeves 400 can be distributed to the attendees of a sporting event, andcan be operatively linked to a single remote control that activates allof the sleeves 400 at once when a particular play occurs during thegame. The remote control can be operated by a human user that activatesthe FPCB 422 of the sleeves 400 at times the user deems appropriate.Alternatively, the remote control comprises a computer processor and anon-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising softwarehaving programming instructions that, when executed, cause the computerprocessor to automatically activate the FPCB 422 of the sleeves 400whenever a particular event(s) occurs during the game, such as when afootball team scores a touchdown or a baseball team hits a home run. Inan alternative embodiment, the software can be integrated into a mobileapplication that can be downloaded onto mobile smartphones and allowseach individual to select the particular events that will automaticallyactivate the individual's particular sleeve 400.

In an alternative embodiment, the sleeve 400 can be positioned withinand attached to previously described sleeve 100. As such, the neoprenerubber body 112 of sleeve 100 serves as an outer protective layer forplastic sleeve 400. The outer surface of sleeve 400 is attached to theinner surface of sleeve 400, with the flexible printed circuit board 422of sleeve 400 aligned with the central rectangular opening 106 of sleeve100. Sleeve 400 can be attached to sleeve 100 by an adhesive or othersuitable attachment means. In this embodiment, the logo can be omittedfrom the flexible printed circuit board 422, and instead printed orengraved on the insert section 116 of the rubber sleeve 100. Theflexible printed circuit board 422 illuminates the logo 118 of theinsert section 116.

In another embodiment of the invention, the insert section 422 cancomprise a display screen that can display videos, images, and/or othervisual content. The display screen 422 preferably comprises a flexiblevideo display screen, such as a flexible organic light emitting diode(OLED) display screen. Preferably, the OLED screen 422 is transparent.The display screen 422 has an arcuate shape that conforms to the arcuateshape of the sleeve body 412, as shown in FIG. 14. The sleeve 400 caninclude wireless communication technology, such as the wirelesscommunication technology sold under the mark “BLUETOOTH”, which isoperatively connected to the display screen 422 and a remote control,such as a computing device comprising a computer processor, such as amobile smartphone. A mobile phone application can be installed on themobile smartphone that allows the user to select videos, images and/orother visual content stored on the smartphone and send the content to areceiver, such as a radio frequency module, that is operativelyconnected to the screen 422, such that the selected videos, photographsand other visual content sent from the smartphone can be shown and/orplayed on the screen 422. As such, different visual content can bedisplayed on the screen 422 at different times at the discretion of theuser. For example, the user can use his or her smartphone to select anddisplay a particular team logo on the screen 422, and later replace thatlogo with a different logo or a digital photograph stored on the user'ssmartphone.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of thesleeves 400 can be distributed to the attendees of an event, such as asports game or concert, and can be operatively linked to a single remotecontrol that activates all of the sleeves 400 at once at a particularmoment during the event, such as when a team scores in a game or aparticular song is performed during a concert. The remote control can beoperated by a human user who selects and sends particular video contentto be played on each screen 422 of the sleeves 400 at moments the userof the remote control deems appropriate. For example, when aparticularly important or remarkable play occurs during a sports game,an instant replay of the particular play can be sent to each screen 422of the linked sleeves 400. In an alternative embodiment, the remotecontrol comprises a computing device comprising a computer processor anda non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising softwarehaving programming instructions that, when executed, cause the computerprocessor to automatically send particular video content to the screen422 of the sleeves 400 whenever a particular type of event(s) occursduring the game, such as when a football player scores a touchdown or abaseball player hits a home run. In another embodiment, the software canbe integrated into a mobile application that can be downloaded ontomobile smartphones and allows each individual to select particular videocontent to be automatically played on the individual's screen 422 inresponse to the occurrence of particular events during a game orperformance.

A beverage container according to another preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated in FIG. 15 and shown generally at referencenumeral 500. The container 500 comprises a cup body 512 made of atransparent or translucent material such as polycarbonate plastic, and alight assembly 520 positioned inside of the cup body 512. In analternative embodiment, only a portion of the cup body 512 is made of atransparent or translucent material, and the remaining portion of thecup body 512 can be made of a non-transparent/non-translucent materialsuch as stainless steel.

The light assembly 520 can be comprised of a plurality of light emittingdevices 522, a power source 524 operatively connected to supply power tothe light emitting devices 522, and an on/off button 526 operativelyconnected to the light emitting devices 522 for selectively turning thelight emitting devices 522 on and off. Preferably, each light emittingdevice 522 comprises a light emitting diode (LED). The light emittingdiodes 522 are positioned between the interior and exterior sidewalls513, 514, respectively, of the cup 512 and within the cup handle 515, asshown in FIG. 15. The light emitting diodes 522 extend in a circularmanner around the circumference of the interior sidewall 513, as shownin FIG. 15. Alternatively, the light assembly 520 can comprise anilluminated fiber optic cable positioned within the interior andexterior sidewalls 513, 514 and handle of the cup 512.

Preferably, the power source comprises a battery 524. Alternatively, thepower source can be a solar cell that powers the light emitting diodes522. In another alternative embodiment, the power source can comprise asolar cell that recharges a battery that powers the light emittingdiodes 522.

The light emitting diodes 522 are operatively connected to the battery524 and the on/off switch 526. The battery 524 and the on/off switch canbe positioned on the cup handle 515, as shown in FIG. 15. The lightassembly 520 is turned on by pressing the on/off button 526, and thelight emitting diodes 522 illuminate the cup 512.

In an alternative embodiment, the light assembly 520 can include athermal sensor operatively connected to the power source 524 so that thelight emitting diodes 522 are activated when the sensor detects apredetermined high or low temperature in the beverage container. In yetanother alternative embodiment, the power source 524 can be rechargedfrom temperature variations of the cup 512, utilizing a stirling engine.

A beverage container according to another preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 and shown generally atreference numeral 600. The beverage container comprises a body 612 and atop lid 654 that can be releasably attached to the top opening of thebody. The top lid 654 and the top of the container body 612 can havecomplementary threading, such that the top lid 654 can be screwed ontothe top of the container body 612. The top lid 654 contains a lightassembly comprising a plurality of light emitting devices 622 positionedproximate the outer edge of the top lid 654, as shown in FIG. 17. Thecontainer body 612 comprises an inner wall 613 and an outer wall 614, asshown in FIG. 16.

The light emitting devices 622 can be light emitting diodes. The lightassembly includes a power source and an on/off mechanism operativelyconnected to the light emitting devices 622. The on/off mechanism can bea tilt switch that turns on the light emitting devices 622 by amechanism making power contact when the container 600 is tilted orshaken.

The top lid 654 can be made of a material that is not transparent ortranslucent. The top lid 654 includes a plurality of port holes formedin the underside of the lid 654, and each light emitting device 622 ispositioned directly above one of the port holes so that each lightemitting device 622 can project light downwardly into the container body612.

The inner and outer walls 613, 614 can be made of a transparent ortranslucent material, such as polycarbonate plastic. The light emittingdevices 622 are positioned in a circular formation along the outer edgeof the top lid 654 such that the light emitting devices 622 projectlight into the space between the inner and outer walls 613, 614.Alternatively, the inner wall 613 is made of a material that is nottransparent or translucent, such as stainless steel, and the outer wall614 is transparent or translucent. In another alternative embodiment,only a portion of the outer wall 614 is transparent/translucent and theremaining portion of the outer wall 614 is not transparent ortranslucent. The transparent/translucent portion of the outer wall 614serves as window that allows the light from the light emitting devices622 to pass through. A logo can be printed on thetransparent/translucent portion of the outer wall 614, and the logo isilluminated by the light emitting devices 622.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises an apparatus 700comprising a beverage container 712, and a light assembly contained in ahousing 754 that can be releasably attached to the base 713 of thecontainer 712, as shown in FIGS. 18-20. The light assembly compriseslight emitting devices 722, and a power source and on/off mechanismoperatively connected to the light emitting devices 722. The beveragecontainer 712 can be a tumbler comprising a base 713 and a sidewall 714extending upwardly from the base 713. Preferably, the base 713 and thesidewall 714 are made of a transparent or translucent material, and thehousing 754 containing the light assembly is made of a transparent ortranslucent material. Alternatively, only a portion of the sidewall 714is made of a transparent or translucent material. A logo can be formedon the transparent/translucent portion of the sidewall 714, which actsas a window that allows the light emitting devices 722 to illuminate thelogo. The light assembly housing 754 can have male threading 755 on itssurface and the outer surface of the tumbler base 713 can havecomplementary female threading 715 that can mate with the light assemblyhousing threading 755. The light assembly housing 754 can be screwedonto the container base 713, and the light devices 722 beam light upthrough the container 712. The on/off mechanism can be a button orswitch, or the light emitting devices 722 can be activated when thehousing is rotated on the tumbler base 713. In an alternativeembodiment, the light assembly can be housed in atransparent/translucent top lid, such as the lid 154 shown in FIG. 4,and releasably attached at the top opening of the tumbler. In thisembodiment, the light assembly housing is a transparent/translucent lidthat is screwed on at the top of the tumbler. The light emitting devicecontained in the lid beams light downwardly into the tumbler.

A container sleeve apparatus and method of using same are describedabove. Various changes can be made to the invention without departingfrom its scope. The above description of embodiments of the inventionare provided for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation—theinvention being defined by the claims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container apparatus comprising: (a) a containeradapted for containing a beverage, the container comprising a base and asidewall extending upwardly from the base, the sidewall having a topedge defining an opening in the container; and (b) a light assemblycomprising at least one light emitting device contained within a housingreleasably attached to the container proximate the base, the at leastone light emitting device positioned to emit light upwardly into thecontainer.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lightemitting device comprises at least one selected from the groupconsisting of a flexible printed circuit board, a light emitting diode,and an illuminated fiber optic cable.
 3. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the light assembly comprises a power source containedwithin housing and operatively connected to the light emitting device tosupply power to the light emitting device.
 4. The apparatus according toclaim 3, wherein the power source comprises at least one selected fromthe group consisting of a battery and a solar cell.
 5. The apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the light assembly further comprises anon/off mechanism operatively connected to the light emitting device,wherein engaging the on/off mechanism causes the light emitting deviceto emit light.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the on/offmechanism comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of abutton and a switch.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thecontainer is cylindrical.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe base and the sidewall are transparent or translucent.
 9. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises atumbler.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising atop lid releasably attached to the container for covering the openingdefined by the top edge of the sidewall.
 11. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the at least one light emitting device comprises aplurality of light emitting diodes.
 12. The apparatus according to claim1, wherein a first threading is formed on an outer surface of thesidewall and a second threading is formed on an inner surface of thehousing of the light assembly, the first threading and the secondthreading adapted for complementary engagement with each other, wherebythe light assembly is releasably attached to the container by engagementof the first threading with the second threading.
 13. The apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein the first threading comprises femalethreading and the second threading comprises male threading.
 14. Acontainer apparatus comprising: (a) a container adapted for containing abeverage, the container comprising a base and a sidewall extendingupwardly from the base, the sidewall having a top edge defining anopening in the container; and (b) a top lid releasably attached to thecontainer proximate the top edge of the sidewall of the container, thetop lid comprising at least one light emitting device positioned in thetop lid to emit light downwardly into the container.
 15. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the light emitting device comprises atleast one selected from the group consisting of a flexible printedcircuit board, a light emitting diode, and an illuminated fiber opticcable.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising apower source contained within the top lid and operatively connected tothe at least one light emitting device to supply power to the lightemitting device.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein thepower source comprises at least one selected from the group consistingof a battery and a solar cell.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 3,further comprising an on/off mechanism operatively positioned in the toplid and connected to the light emitting device, wherein engaging theon/off mechanism causes the light emitting device to emit light.
 19. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sidewall of the container istransparent or translucent.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein a first threading is formed on an outer surface of the sidewalland a second threading is formed on an inner surface of the housing ofthe top lid, the first threading and the second threading adapted forcomplementary engagement with each other, whereby the top lid isreleasably attached to the container by engagement of the firstthreading with the second threading.